<a href='http://tarheelblue.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/050304aaa.html' target='_blank'>Jackie Manuel</a>

<a href='http://tarheelblue.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/050504aaa.html' target='_blank'>Melvin Scott</a>

I think Jackie's gonna have a solid senior season. He mentioned that he wants to work on his shot and his handle -- those are really the only two holes in his game. He doesn't make many mistakes anywhere else. Jackie will never be a great jumpshooter, and I think even he knows that. But, if he can consistently knock down the open jumper... that's all we'll need from him. He needs to log a ton of hours in the Dean Dome this summer working on that shot.

Melvin is more of a mystery. He's supposed to be a shooter -- and yet he struggled last year with that. And, the problem with that is Melvin doesn't contribute anywhere else when his shot's not on. At least with Jackie, you know he's going to play defense, rebound, drive to the basket, etc. Melvin's abilities are pretty much limited to his shooting. We needed him to bring the ball up a little last year because he was the only decent dribbler besides Ray (and when I say "decent" I mean that he still turned the ball over way more than a point guard should).

With Quentin Thomas and Ben Miller ready to help out at point next year, Melvin won't see a second's worth of playing time at PG (barring injury or foul trouble to the others). Now, he might be helped out a good bit by J.R. Smith's going pro... because he certainly wasn't going to get much time at the 2, either, with Rashad and J.R. fighting it out there. And, JamesOn Curry's leaving helped him out a bit, too. I think Melvin is going to get some spot duty at the 2 -- but he really needs to bring it this year.

-JD